Undefeated Buffalo Bulls continue rise through AP top 25
BUFFALO, N.Y. (BVM) — For the first time in school history, the Buffalo Bulls have landed on the Associated Press top 25 poll and are off to their best start since 1980.
The Bulls climbed into the rankings two weeks ago, becoming the first ranked Mid-American Conference team, after its decisive 70-41 win over Kent State. They continued their ascension locking into No. 23 on the list after their recent win this past week.
After having their game against Ohio canceled due to COVID-19 last week, the Bulls had extra time to prepare for their matchup against the Akron Zips. Led by the No. 1-ranked rushing unit in the country, the Bulls would go on to steamroll their conference opponent, 56-7.
“If you want to be a team that wins a championship, if you want to be a ranked team, you have to go out and play like it,” Buffalo coach Lance Leipold said after their big win against the Zips. “You can’t wait for the so-called next bigger game.”
Racking up an average of 344.2 rushing yards a game, the Bulls have relied heavily on star running back Jaret Patterson. The junior back has helped propel the Bulls to a perfect 5-0 record, producing record-breaking games this season against the likes of Kent State, where he rushed for 409 yards and a whopping eight touchdowns.
“Obviously, he’s very special,” Leipold said when discussing Patterson’s game against Kent State. “Some of those big plays, it’s the patience. It’s the vision once he sees it. Today, even more so, I think there were some broken tackles for either first downs or ones that ended up being huge gains or even touchdowns. Now you start adding his speed, quickness and balance, that’s what makes him one of the best in the country.”
Patterson was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award and currently leads the nation in rushing yards per game and yards per carry.
This season is no shock to those around the team, as Leipold has continued to build up the football program since he first took over in 2015. With the success of the 2020 season, Leipold’s name is bound to come up in Power 5 coaching candidate conversations.
The Bulls will look to win their first MAC championship since 2008 and after back-to-back Bowl games appearances the past two seasons, look to be in prime position for a historic game at the end of their year.
